Army dismantles protesters' tents in Tahrir

Egyptian armed forces and riot police moved into Cairo's Tahrir Square today to dismantle tents set up by protesters who suspended their sit-in a day earlier.

Egyptian armed forces and riot police moved into Cairo's Tahrir Square on Monday to dismantle tents set up by protesters who suspended their sit-in a day earlier.

Television footage showed army and security forces marching onto the square and removing the tents from the middle.

On Sunday, 26 parties and political movements said they were suspending their three-week sit-in during Ramadan, the Muslim month of fasting which started on Monday.

"Based on our belief that sit-ins are a means, and not a goal... the political parties and youth movements have decided to temporarily suspend their sit-in during the holy month of Ramadan," they said in a joint statement.

Several dozen however had insisted on staying in the square.

Traffic was seen flowing through Tahrir Square -- the epicentre of protestes that toppled President Hosni Mubarak in February -- for the first time in three weeks.

Activists said they would return to the square to push for reforms once Ramadan is over.